Texas farmers plant seeds to sustain agriculture

Published 12:50 am, Saturday, June 9, 2012

Russell Real is something of an exception. At 28, he's decided to stay on the farm his father started 34 years ago rather than pursue some hot new business trend like others of his generation.

"I'm not looking for the next big thing. Money isn't everything," Real said at his family's farm and ranch southwest of Seguin. "It's something ingrained in you, I guess. I couldn't see myself doing anything else than farming."

Data suggest, however, that fewer young people are being drawn to farming and ranching for a living.

That worries policymakers focused on expanding the nation's food supplies in the face of booming world demand.

"Attracting the younger generation into domestic food and fiber production is vital for any Texan who does not want to be dependant on foreign food like we are on foreign oil," Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples said in promoting a state assistance program for young farmers.

The aging problem is only one of several concerns that threaten Texas agriculture. Costs have gone up for supplies and production, urban sprawl has reduced the available land, and shifting weather patterns have left the state repeatedly parched.

Instead of falling into a tailspin, farmers and ranchers are focused on finding solutions. Many remain optimistic that an industry accustomed to challenges will overcome its latest roadblocks.

"It's a pretty nervous time right now," said L.G. Raun, chairman of the Texas Rice Producers Legislative Group. An evolving farm bill threatens price supports that farmers depend on, and producers are just starting to rebuild after a record-setting drought. Water restrictions caused by the drought are expected to keep almost a third of Texas' rice acreage out of production this year.

"We've had more rain in the first three months this year than in all of 2011, so I'm optimistic," Raun said. "I hope we get back to more normal weather patterns."

Average age rising

Officials said that while the U.S. is graying overall, the trend has accelerated in agriculture as producers live longer, technology lets them stay productive longer and fewer young people opt to pursue farming full time.

Kathleen Merrigan, the U.S. deputy secretary of agriculture, said the 2007 agricultural census, the most recent data available, shows that for every farm operator nationally under the age of 35, there are six over 65.

The average age of the main farm operator in 2007 was 57.1, almost two years older than the average from the prior census in 2002.

In Texas, the average farmer's age was closer to 59. That was the second-highest figure in the nation behind New Mexico's average age, 59.6.

Even though farms and ranches are producing more food and feed than they once did, that pace could weaken if younger farmers aren't found to replace older farmers as they retire or die.

Increasing food production has become particularly important since the world's population is expected to grow by 2 billion before 2050. Repopulating the agricultural sector "is one of the biggest challenges we face," Merrigan said.

Part of the challenge is the cost of starting and sustaining a farming and ranching operation. Land and equipment costs have ballooned along with seed, stock, fertilizer, fuel and other expenses.

Melvin Grones, a Guadalupe County rancher, questioned how long a young farmer can last unless the land was inherited.

"It's a gamble. You have to have a lot of money to do it," Grones said.

But if they do get started, there are increasing rewards - at least for now. Crop and livestock prices jumped the past few years.

Welch said an intensive two-month marketing program sponsored by the extension service has been drawing younger crowds for a couple of years.

Welch said unlike past generations, when parents may have discouraged their children from farming or ranching, parents need their kids' help more now as the field has become more technical. The outlook for agricultural prices also gives parents less reason to be worried about how well farming can support their children.

"I think the pendulum is swinging," Welch said.

Threat from droughts

The higher crop and livestock prices may be counteracting another long-term challenge: competing land uses shrinking acreage available for farming and ranching. As cities expand, they need more land on which to build. Younger generations not interested in taking over family farms or maintaining open land, and ranching families struggling to make ends meet often see selling to developers as an easy way out.

Texas farmers and ranchers always have been at the mercy of the state's turbulent weather, but a continuing series of droughts shook the industry's confidence and persuaded some producers to try something else.

The record-setting drought that started in the fall of 2010 left Texas' farmers and ranchers with $7.6 billion in losses - their most ever - the extension service said.

The extension service estimates about 660,000 beef cows were slaughtered or moved to other states during the drought.

Joe Parker, president of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, said last month the drought still was being felt in large parts of Texas. He expects water issues to be a focus of state lawmakers for years to come because, with the state's anticipated growth, less water could be available for agriculture.

About three-fourths of the cattle raisers' membership cut their herds during the drought because their feed and water supplies were depleted. Eleven percent sold their entire herds.

Pride and possibility

James Richardson, a regents professor of agricultural economics at Texas A&M, said weather has been a big factor in the development of Texas agriculture. Development of more drought-tolerant crops will continue, he said, and new technology will help farmers use water more wisely.

Chuck Real, Russell's father, said he's proud his son is staying on the farm and will make room for his other two children if they want to share in farm responsibilities. But the 59-year-old said it will be their decision, as farming and ranching are stressful livelihoods with factors a producer can't control.

"The only thing that's certain is that things are going to change," Chuck Real said. "How well we adapt to that is our challenge."